Nikoklia

Nikoklia is a small, quiet village which boasts a couple of coffee shops, an old church dating from 1768, a post office and a mixture of old houses with some new ones on the outskirts. It is 17 kms from Paphos, 7 kms or so inland from the airport, en route to the Troodos Mountains and approximately 400m above sea level. Being in the valley of the Dhiarizos River, it attracts a wide variety of birds. The area is agricultural and houses plantations of citrus (mainly oranges), beans, peanuts, vegetables and vines. The nearby Asprokremmos Dam is one of the largest in the area and where permits are required for fishing. The village is named after Nikokles, the last King of Paphos (320 BC). It is said he used the area as an extension to his palace at Palea Paphos, the then capital, which indicates that this spot has been cultivated and inhabited for more than 2000 years.